Ask your
health care provider
about colon cancer
screening and how you
can get FIT.
Are you 50 or older?
Ever been tested for
colon cancer?
Uninsured?
Age 50 or older?
Call 1-866-442-CANCER
to find out how you can
get a free colon cancer
test near you.
Getting a
colon cancer test
just got easier!
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This brochure was supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement
NU58DP006102 from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC). Its contents are solely the responsibility of
the NYSDOH and do not necessarily represent the official views
of the CDC.
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Read on to learn
more about FIT, a new test
for colon cancer.
A program of the Department of Health
Get
FIT
Did you know?
Did you know?
· Colorectal cancer (cancer of the
colon and rectum) is the second
leading cause of cancer death.
· Screening tests can help prevent
colon cancer by finding polyps
before they turn into cancer.
(Polyps are noncancerous growths
of tissue that can become cancer
if they are not removed.)
· Recommended screening tests
include stool tests; colonoscopy;
sigmoidoscopy; and
barium enema.
· When colon cancer is found and
treated early, it can be cured.
Who should be screened
for colon cancer?
·Most people should start screening
tests at age 50.
·If you or a family member has had
colon cancer or polyps, you may need
to start earlier.
What is FIT?
·FIT stands for Fecal Immunochemical
Test (fee-kuhl-im-you-no-KIM-uh-kuhl).
·FIT is a take-home, stool-screening
test for colon cancer.
·FIT can show if there is hidden blood
in your stool (bowel movement).
Why get FIT?
·It is easy to do.
·It is done in the privacy of your home.
·There are no special changes to diets
or medicines.
How often should I get FIT?
·If your results are negative, you should
do a FIT test every year.
What if my results come
back positive?
·If this test is positive, a colonoscopy
is needed to see if there is cancer,
a polyp, or other cause of bleeding.
·When colon cancer is found and
treated early, it can be cured.
·When polyps are found and removed,
colon cancer is actually prevented.